Unified communications (UC) and professional audiovisual (AV) systems have historically been two distinct and separate disciplines with little overlap. Over the past decade, however, the barrier between these two has steadily been crumbling. UC and AV are rapidly converging, and AV systems are increasingly relying on IP networks.

This convergence has led to the introduction of new networking requirements and design approaches, such as AVLANs and AVIoT, which involve exciting new capabilities as well as design challenges.

In this article, we delve deeper into this convergence story, helping you to better understand the benefits and intricacies this evolution represents for both network engineers and AV integrators.

Lighting is no longer just about illumination; it’s becoming an intelligent part of the network. As smart building technologies gain traction, Power over Ethernet (PoE) is emerging as a key enabler, extending far beyond its original role of powering network gear. One of the most exciting frontiers? PoE lighting.

In this article, we explore how PoE lighting can be seamlessly integrated into your existing infrastructure, and how resellers and system integrators can tap into this growing trend to expand their offerings, add value for clients, and stay ahead of the curve. We also take a look at what’s next for PoE as it powers a new era of low-voltage innovation.

Blockchain has garnered significant attention in recent years as a technology capable of securely recording sequential transactions and maintaining consistent information across multiple computer networks. While it is often associated with cryptocurrencies, blockchain's characteristics also offer substantial advantages to supply chain logistics.

When combined with telecommunications technology, blockchain becomes a highly valuable mechanism for managing increasingly complex global supply chain processes. In this article, we explore the application of blockchain technology in supply chains and how telecommunications enhances its effectiveness.

DHCP is best known as the protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses to hosts that connect to a network. It is one of those protocols that we don’t often think about because it functions in the background — users are completely oblivious to its operation, just enjoying its convenience and flexibility.

However, DHCP is about more than automatic address allocation, especially for VoIP and UC devices such as IP phones and video terminals. In this article, we explore the operation of DHCP and the specialized options it provides for VoIP and UC applications, some of which you might not know about!

Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the successor to the well-established IPv4 network layer protocol. It is slowly but surely gaining ground worldwide on both internal corporate enterprise networks and on the internet at large.

But what does this mean for real-time audio and video communications applications such as VoIP and unified communications (UC)? How are VoIP and UC leveraging IPv6, and are there any issues that network admins must be aware of in this process? In this article, we answer these questions by examining the benefits and challenges of deploying such applications over an IPv6 network.

You already know that power over Ethernet (PoE) is a vital technology that can save substantial time and money. Did you also know that the newer PoE++ (Hi-PoE) is widely available and able to deliver up to 100 watts of power?

In this article we explore the latest developments in PoE technology and how they're beneficial.

Wearable technology refers to any devices you can wear on your body. Although not new, some novel trends are bringing these technologies to the forefront. Their increasing popularity is making these devices ubiquitous, enabling many integrations with other technologies, including VoIP.

This article looks at wearable technology trends and how these devices will increasingly become integrated with advanced voice services.

LoRa delivers some extremely attractive functionalities, especially for a specialized set of applications that are currently experiencing an explosion in growth. LoRa, which is short for “long-range,” is a low-power wide-area network modulation technique. In simpler terms, it is a method of transmitting data using wireless signals over long distances while consuming very low power. 

In this article, we look at LoRa as a technology and examine how it is becoming an important enabler for some of the most innovative applications of today and tomorrow.

Telecommunications is a fast-paced field that changes constantly. It is more than a full-time job just keeping up with all of the emerging innovations that affect this industry. One of the fascinating aspects of this evolution is the fact that telecom relies heavily on companion technologies, emerging practices, and new methodologies that enable novel applications with seemingly science-fictionesque capabilities and functionality.

In this article, we talk about some of the most important technologies and methodologies that are changing the telecom landscape and which are expected to continue to do so in the coming years.

Smart cities use multiple technologies to resolve some of the most complex challenges facing today’s cities. When implemented well, these technologies can truly make a difference in the lives of city dwellers.

In this article, we examine the various technologies involved – including VoIP – and how they can work together to bring about these desirable results.